Hosted by the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington 
at Adas Israel Congregation, Monday October 29 at 6:30pm. 

Access the live broadcast of this service at adasisrael.org/serviceforpittsburgh

We are horrified and heartbroken by the despicable murderous attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood that took place during Shabbat services on October 27th.

Words are insufficient to convey our community's profound pain at the slaughter of innocent people who were worshiping with their community on the holy day of Shabbat, a time that is a weekly reminder to celebrate joy and peace. It is particularly poignant that this savage attack took place in the midst of a Jewish baby naming, the welcoming of a new life with all of its hope and promise.

Join us for an interfaith service and solidarity gathering as we come together to mourn the 11 innocent lives lost, pray for a speedy recovery, a refuah shleimah, to the injured, and join in prayer as a community.

This is a public event open to the community. RSVP is requested. 

Adas Israel Statement on the Tragedy in Pittsburgh 

Dear Friends and Community Members,

We are shocked and heartbroken by today’s tragic events at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There are no words to express the sense of loss and sorrow that has rippled across Jewish communities throughout the United States and the world in the wake of this tragedy. 

In the midst of this devastation, we stand heart to heart with our fellow community members in Pittsburgh. We praise local law enforcement and first responders for their quick and courageous acts. We mourn for those who have been taken from us, and pray for the recovery of those who were wounded.

The alarming resurgence of bigotry, hate, and dangerous rhetoric that has spread across this nation in recent years, emboldening those who seek to do harm and perpetuate such acts of hate, needs swift and active condemnation from every office of leadership in this country. 

As you know, the safety and security of our community is our top priority at Adas Israel, now and always. For some time now, our community has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington's Security Department to constantly assess, and re-evaluate in real time, all synagogue security procedures and protocols. Most visibly of course, our infrastructure includes a significant onsite security personnel force of both police and armed private security officers. Simply put, our gratitude to this elite and deeply engaged team of professionals knows no bounds. 

Given the current state of unease, and in consultation with the sources above, we have acted accordingly and initiated heightened security protocols, which include the presence of additional security personnel inside and around the perimeter of the synagogue, among other measures. We ask that you please continue to expect heightened security at all building entrances for the foreseeable future. In addition, Adas Israel was recently selected from a large pool of applicants for a significant grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, enabling further enhancements this year to our already robust security infrastructure. 

The well-being of our children, members, and staff is our top priority, which is why we remain in 24-hour contact with security officials and are prepared to respond at a moment’s notice to any concern. 

A Community Service and Solidarity Gathering hosted by the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington will be held at Adas Israel on Monday, October 29 at 6:30pm. 

Shomer Yisrae'l. Shomer Am Kadosh. Shomer Olam Echad. Master of the World, guard us, protect us, empower us -- for each other and for all of Your creations. 

L'shalom,
Rabbis Lauren Holtzblatt & Aaron Alexander, Senior Rabbis 
Ricki Gerger, Synagogue President